ABSTRACT
With domestic compulsory education extending from six to nine years in 1968, the official divided between general and technical/vocational education in the education system of Taiwan now begins after the nine years of national education (but with technical arts exploration education during the 7th to 9th grade). The tourism and hospitality education at college level is aimed at cultivating midrange managers for the industry, while the university level of tourism and hospitality education is provided for the preparation of higher level managers. Universities of technology are more focused on the teaching of professional theories and practical skills of the industry, with particular emphasis on handson practices and internships for the development of high-level skilled professionals for the industry. The graduate institutes of tourism and hospitality are geared more toward the cultivation of top-level senior managers and researchers. Over the past few years, many of the junior colleges in the technical and vocational education system have converted into institutes of technology. Still, there are some institutions maintaining the five-year and two-year junior college systems, which serve as an extension of the senior high school technical and vocational education.
